Health information is at the heart of today’s most exciting healthcare advancements. This data is collected during every appointment — through routine screening, diagnostic testing, and even remote monitoring via wearable devices. This can form the basis for improved decision-making, revealing meaningful patterns that shape everything from diagnostics to treatment plans, prescriptions, and patient-clinician dynamics.
With all these powerful opportunities come a few significant concerns: the ongoing challenge to preserve patient privacy, for example, along with the ever-present risk of breach and even concerns regarding information accuracy. Namely, what happens if faulty devices or clerical mistakes lead to the wrong information being captured?
Professionals known as health information technologists (or technicians) and health information managers address these concerns by developing, maintaining, and optimizing systems and solutions designed to ensure that health information is accessible to authorized individuals, accurately collected or analyzed, and fully secured.
HIT and HIM entail similar goals but use different mechanisms to promote the responsible and ethical use of health data. These also involve distinct career milestones or pathways. It is common to enter HIT first, and while some people may prefer to focus on technical concerns throughout their careers, many eventually move into HIM. We explore this progression below, what the transition toward pursuing a health information management degree might involve, and how a health information technology degree can influence career pathways involving both HIT and HIM.
What Is Health Information Technology (HIT)?
HIM and HIT share much in common. Despite these similarities, they hold significant differences that influence career planning and other priorities.
So, what is health information technology? HIT involves the complex infrastructure that supports today’s data-driven healthcare initiatives. This includes all the software and hardware needed to operate health information systems, along with the networks that facilitate the secure transmission or exchange of health data. HIT encompasses electronic health records (EHRs), coding and billing systems, and numerous other technologies that shape the collection and analysis of patient information.
What Is Health Information Management (HIM)?
Now that we’ve broken down the basics of HIT, what is health information management, or HIM? At first glance, this may look a lot like HIT (and even health informatics), as it also centers on the use of health data. That being said, the focus on HIM is actually quite different. While HIT shapes the tools needed to gather and store data, HIM ensures that this data is fully protected and that its use remains compliant with requirements such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) defines health information management as the practice of “acquiring, analyzing, and protecting digital and traditional medical information,” adding that this involves the intersection of “business, science, and information technology.”
How HIT and HIM Work Together in the Healthcare System
HIT and HIM are complementary parts of an overarching data-driven approach to healthcare, in which thoroughly analyzed patient information plays into every decision and is used to improve operational efficiency. HIT may provide the essential tools and infrastructure to perform critical data-driven tasks, but HIM reveals how this data is used and what ensures that data-centric strategies remain compliant.
From HIT to HIM: Building a Stackable Education Pathway
While HIT and HIM represent different approaches to improving the use of health data — and roles in these fields tend to involve distinct skill sets — these areas involve many transferable skills and may both fit into a single, promising career path. These occupy different levels of the career ladder, and with the right skills and credentials, it is possible to work in one area before transitioning to the other. Think of HIT as the entry-level option for getting a foot in the door, while HIM provides a solid pathway to advancement.
Course-to-Course Alignment: How HIT Prepares You for HIM Success
If your ultimate goal is to work in HIM, but you want to gain experience along the way, you could benefit greatly from stacking your education and experience so that your pathway incorporates both HIT and HIM. Though the skills you develop through HIT coursework may seem more immediately applicable as you handle technical tasks as a health information technologist, these abilities and insights will inevitably come into play through your eventual work as a health information manager.
Foundational Courses in Medical Terminology and Healthcare Systems
Aspiring medical professionals (both administrative and clinical) should make the effort to develop a thorough understanding of medical terminology, as this promotes shared understanding and can play a major role in collaborative efforts. This is especially relevant in HIT, where medical terminology is central to everything from coding to EHR documentation. Foundational courses provide a thorough overview of relevant healthcare terms and concepts, including not only their definitions but also details involving proper spelling and pronunciation.
In addition to understanding key medical terms, aspiring HIT professionals should be aware of the overarching healthcare systems and environments that shape their work and influence the use of health information. HIT courses highlight the practical elements of healthcare delivery systems, with additional insights gained via real-world learning experiences involving professional practice.
Coding and Classification Systems
Medical coding is a critical part of both HIT and HIM. Students in these programs are expected to master prominent coding systems such as the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS), the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10), or the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT). HITs may be actively involved in the coding process or offer assistance with the databases that store coded information. Some professionals with HIT training even work as medical coders.
With health information management, coding knowledge largely relates to coding oversight; HIM professionals promote standardized coding practices that comply with critical healthcare regulations. They may be involved in identifying coding errors or improving workflows to boost coding efficiency.
Introduction to EHR and Data Management Systems
Electronic health records assume a fundamental role in the modern healthcare sector and especially in health information technology. HIT programs help students understand how these records function, touching on the technical components of EHR solutions such as network infrastructure, access controls, or encryption methods.
These degree programs explore the complex data management systems that underscore EHR functionality, too, with insights into data structures and interoperability helping HIT professionals perform technical tasks involving system configuration. Meanwhile, HIM draws from this knowledge for advanced functions involving analysis or regulatory compliance.
Legal and Ethical Aspects of Healthcare
Along with providing a detailed overview of HIPAA, HIT programs touch on other legal frameworks that may influence the use of health information. Furthermore, these programs encourage students to reflect on the ethical underpinnings of their work in health information — insights that, while relevant to health information technologists, become even more impactful when moving into a management role and potentially getting the chance to drive strategic decision-making.
Introduction to Analytics and Quality Metrics
Regarding the use of health information, analytics provide the opportunity to glean previously hidden insights that can eventually improve operational efficiency or enhance patient care. While HIM professionals tend to be more actively involved in data analysis, they are supported by technicians, who handle the foundational tasks that ensure collected data is suitable for analysis. HIT programs provide a basic overview of analytical solutions that can make it easier to develop advanced analytics skills later on.
5 Skills That Transfer From HIT to HIM
Numerous transferable skills can help HIT professionals make the leap to HIM. These can be developed while navigating health information technology programs and further enhanced once immersed in the field. Essentials include:
1. Technical Fluency
Initially, HIT may appear to be the more technical of the two fields, but HIM also calls for technical proficiency. This allows health information managers to provide more effective oversight and can also shape compliance efforts. Additionally, technical abilities are crucial from an analytics perspective, helping HIM professionals better understand analytical tools or use them to extract insights.
2. Coding Accuracy and Attention to Detail
Medical coding is, by nature, a detail-oriented pursuit, and both HIT and HIM should understand what it takes to code efficiently and accurately. In HIT, this means properly using coding systems like ICD-10, HCPCS, or CPT — and knowing how to use solutions like encoders to also promote accurate coding.
Although attention to detail may play out differently in HIM, it remains critical. This influences documentation review and auditing procedures, helping HIM professionals spot issues and ensure that they are properly addressed.
3. Knowledge of Regulations and Standards
HIPAA regulations influence nearly everything health information technologists and health information managers do, so both types of professionals are expected to develop an in-depth understanding of this regulation and how it impacts the use of protected health information. While HIT professionals tend to focus on HIPAA in the context of technical safeguards like encryption or authentication, their foundational understanding can make it easier to grasp how HIPAA influences documentation practices and policies.
Understanding HIPAA is essential, but this is only the beginning. Various other regulatory frameworks influence the day-to-day tasks of HIT and HIM professionals. For example, strict rules established by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) determine coding requirements, while state-specific regulations can present additional complications. Exploring these requirements as an HIT can help limit the eventual HIM learning curve while bringing valuable context to overarching compliance efforts.
4. Familiarity with EHR and Workflow Design
HIT and HIM professionals might address different elements of EHR systems, yet there is considerable overlap regarding their work with EHRs. Both promote data accuracy and integrity, playing a pivotal part in pinpointing or addressing issues with documentation. Both also strive to improve the overall efficiency of these systems by supporting streamlined workflows.
Because HITs are so familiar with the technical constraints surrounding modern EHRs, they are more likely to advocate for realistic and impactful solutions as they step into HIM roles. Their technical expertise can prove particularly valuable as they pursue system upgrades or spearhead efforts to optimize documentation workflows.
5. Confidence with Online Learning and Professional Communication
Communication skills allow HIT and HIM professionals to collaborate effectively while also determining how they interact with clinical healthcare workers or even major players, such as executives and stakeholders.
HIT programs help establish a spirit of continuous learning, too, which may have a key role in driving the very decision to pursue additional training and opportunities in HIM. Online health information technology and health information management programs help these professionals learn how to collaborate and communicate effectively on a digital basis — especially crucial given the increasingly digital nature of the healthcare ecosystem.
Benefits of Completing Both Programs at Baker College
As you explore career pathways and begin to plan your future in HIT, HIM, or both fields, look to Baker College for a streamlined and cohesive educational experience that introduces you to the best of both worlds. By completing both degrees through the same college, you can streamline the process; there’s no need to take the same class multiple times or even adjust to new learning platforms or college environments.
What Comes After Your HIM Degree?
Your educational journey does not end when you graduate with your Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management. The next step on the path to HIM success? Getting certified. The right credential can lend you much-needed credibility, making it easier to take a step up in your career.
The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) offers numerous credentialing opportunities. The most relevant to the aspiring HIM professional is the Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA), which reflects a thorough understanding of ethical expectations and legal requirements, particularly as they relate to patient privacy and healthcare delivery.
Completing a HIM degree program is a critical step on the path to obtaining the RHIA credential, as AHIMA maintains strict eligibility requirements. The credentialing process also involves a challenging exam, which covers topics such as data governance, revenue cycle management, and health informatics.
Learn More About Baker’s HIT to HIM Pathway
Leverage the benefits of both HIT and HIM training. Baker College offers degrees in both areas, including a well-regarded health information technology degree as well as a health information management program. You don’t necessarily need to choose between these two options, either, as you can gain valuable skills in both areas by pursuing Baker’s carefully coordinated HIT to HIM pathway. Request more information today!